Primefact: Hanley's River Snail

Summary

Hanley’s River Snail is a freshwater snail that was once common and widely distributed in the Murray River catchment, including the Lachlan and Murrumbidgee Rivers. Populations of this species have declined rapidly over the last few decades, apparently as a result of weir building and other activities associated with river flow management. They now seem to be virtually extinct throughout their natural range. Living snails survive in artificial habitat at three locations: Banrock Station and Kingston Squatters Tank in South Australia and an irrigation pipeline at Dareton in NSW.

Hanley’s River Snail has suffered dramatic declines in recent decades. In NSW, the species is listed as critically endangered. There are heavy penalties for harming, possessing, buying or selling them, or for harming their habitat.